‘Similarities to Michael Carrick’ – The lowdown on QPR target Goss
West London Sport revealed on Tuesday morning that QPR want Manchester United youngster Sean Goss. Here’s the lowdown on Rangers’ latest transfer target.
In the beginning
Goss was born in Wegberg, a town in north-western Germany close to the border with the Netherlands, on 1 October 1995 – the day after a Danny Dichio goal earned Rangers a Premier League win at Bolton.
He moved to England at the age of eight.
From mascot to player
Goss was a Manchester United fan as a boy and in January 2005, aged nine, he was selected to be a mascot for the cup tie at Old Trafford when Exeter, then a Conference side, held United to a 0-0 draw.
Six years later, Goss returned to United on trial after impressing for the Grecians’ academy – and he made an instant impact, scoring a goal in his first practice match.
Dutch courage
Goss was given the chance to impress while on trial with United at the Aegon Future Cup in Amsterdam in April 2012. In the final against Ajax, he ended up missing the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
He nevertheless impressed enough to be signed by United, who agreed an initial fee of £100,000 with Exeter in July 2012.
Goss missed most of his first season through injury but returned in 2013-14 to score six goals, play in the Uefa Youth League and earn a chance to train with the first team.
American dream
Injury also kept him out for three months in 2014-15 season but when he came back, he helped the Under-21s win the title and in the process caught first-team boss Louis Van Gaal’s eye.
The Dutchman took him on the club’s tour of the USA that summer, and gave him his first taste of senior action when he replaced Michael Carrick for the final 10 minutes of a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
He was also named on the first-team’s bench for the win at Watford in November 2015.
Corners, cards and goals
Goss’ fledgling career has been interrupted by injuries – especially back trouble, which prevented him from playing for United’s Under-23s this season until October.
He featured against Chelsea’s youngsters in December. United took the lead from his perfectly delivered corner but eventually lost 3-1.
Goss scored United’s goal in another 3-1 defeat, against Manchester City last week, while his most recent game ended in a derby victory over Liverpool’s Under-23s on Monday – he was yellow-carded in that match as well.
The new Michael Carrick?
Although now a midfielder more used to breaking up play, as a youngster he chipped in with goals, scoring 13 times in his final season with Exeter’s Centre of Excellence.
The United website describes him as “a neat and skilful performer”, who draws “similarities to Michael Carrick with his playing style”, although he has also played in both full-back positions.
Wigan have kept an eye on him since Warren Joyce, previously his youth-team coach at United, took over as Latics boss.
Goss signed a four-year contract in the summer of 2014 but with the player anxious to play first-team football, QPR are looking to bring him to west London – possibly on a permanent deal.
